The Horror Show

"The Horror Show" is the latest release from Shout Factory and once again I have to thank this restorative entertainment company for releasing a film from my childhood that I've never heard of. From producer Sean Cunningham ("Friday the 13th") comes a low-budget silly farce, and there is an attempt to create a new supernatural horror villain in the vein of Jason Vorhees and Freddy Krueger.

Also strangely known as "House III" (with no apparent relation to the other "House" films), "The Horror Show" is almost a direct clone of both Wes Craven's "Nightmare on Elm St." and "Shocker." Max Jenke (Brion James) is a serial killer who's dispatched over 110 victims (all off-screen). When he's brought to the electric chair, it wouldn't be a horror film if Jenke actually died....no folks; he isn't really dead and tries to make mincemeat of the detective (Lance Henriksen) who brought him to justice.

Special features are somewhat slim compared to past Shout Factory releases but are entertaining nonetheless. "The Show Must Go On" is an interview segment starring stunt man Kane Hodder, he of the "Friday the 13th" franchise. Hodder tells about his various stunts, how dangerous they were, and his general experience on the film.

Actress Rita Taggart is in the bonus feature titled "House Mother" and she reveals little tidbits such as how the original director was fired and about her working relationship with co-star Henriksen. There is also an audio commentary included from producer Sean Cunningham, but mysteriously this is not listed on the Blu-ray package. It's a nice surprise.

Ken Tasho is a Corporate Drone by day and Edge Contributor by night. He has a love for all things ’80’s and resides in the Wayland Square area of Providence, RI...but would much rather be sharing an apartment in NYC with ’80’s rock goddesses Pat Benatar and Deborah Harry.